Video Post: Saying Goodbye -- Backdated to last week

[brokencode]

[When the video starts, there's no parade of excited Pokemon. Angel doesn't laugh as the feed clicks on, and none of her human friends come on screen to join her. For a long moment, she's quiet, stroking the soft head of a young Hoothoot. For those who care to look closely, Angel's eyes are puffy and rimming with yet unshed tears.]

I... do not know how many of you knew Athena. [Her voice was rough and worn, weighed down by her apparent grief.] But... her Pokemon appeared in my box this morning. She is not answering her 'gear. She's not... here with us.

[Angel shifted in order to wrap her arms around herself.]

It... is for that reason that I must conclude that she has left the region and gone home. [A breath, and a shaky one at that.] If nothing else, she is with her beloved now. We... can rejoice in that much.

[With that, Angel gracelessly shuts the feed off. Anyone who responds, however, will be responded to, though it may take some time.]

Comments

[Video]

[notmyrealname]

I'm so sorry, Angel.

[Cissnei hadn't ever met Athena but she considered Angel a friend and seeing the other young woman so upset...

The Turk's expression is a soft one--a gentle one as she addresses the other, cradling Cetra, her Alola Vulpix, in her arms.]

It's a sad situation no matter what but it's good to hear there's someone back home waiting for her, at least.

[brokencode]

I... do not know what to say. She was like a mother to me -- both she and her wife.

[She winced. Was she not allowed to keep a mother figure in her life? First her powers had taken away her birth mother, then this place had ripped away the two women she had grown to adore.

It felt wrong to be so bitter about something that the world had been kind enough to give her in the first place, but wasn't that what grieving was about?]

[notmyrealname]

I doubt she wanted to cause you any pain by leaving, Angel. It seems like it's never really a choice for anyone.

[Cissnei..isn't very good at this sort of thing, mostly because she doesn't have a lot of experience with loss. Hell, she still hadn't really come to terms with the loss she'd experienced back home.

But she was willing to try her best.]

...There's nothing wrong with being upset and at a loss for what to think or do, though. It's normal. [She smiles sadly, an expression that only lasts a moment.] Unfortunate..but normal.

[brokencode]

No, I know she did not. [Athena had no reason to care about the siren at the beginning, and yet she had pledged herself to her from the get-go. Speaking solely from
a logical stand point, the gladiator was not the kind of person to leave a promise half-filled. Nor did she think Athena so cold as to have chosen to abandon her.]

Grieving is normal, I know that. But it feel as if I keep mourning those who try to take care of me, or get close to me.

It... makes me worry about the sort of person I am, and what associating with me brings.

[notmyrealname]

It doesn't have anything to do with you as a person, Angel.

[It's said firmly as Cissnei shakes her head slightly.]

These things just happen sometimes, if everything I've heard is any indication. You've done nothing wrong and I'm pretty sure you aren't some sort of bad omen.

[brokencode]

I wish I could believe you.

[A decade had done little to muffle those last screams though. That fateful moment had seared itself into her mind and shaped her way of thinking, thanks in part to the madman just a few towns away.]

Sorry. I... usually try to avoid this sort of pessimism but... It cannot be helped right now.

[notmyrealname]

Everyone has their moments when they feel like that, Angel. Again, you don't have anything to apologize for.

[And she means it.]

Just know that you have friends here if you need to talk. Or even if you just need company so you aren't alone with your thoughts.

[brokencode]

Thank you, Cissnei. We... have not known each other long, but you have already proven yourself to be an amazing friend.

[Granted, Angel's criteria for "amazing friend" was remarkably limited, but she liked to think that the point still stood.]

You talking to me now has helped, even if it does not seem like it. Thank you for that.

[notmyrealname]

[Cissnei smiles softly, sincerely, as she nods.]

I appreciate that, Angel. I'm glad I could make you feel better as well. It's going to take awhile for the pain to ease but I have no doubts you're strong enough to get through it and also smart enough to know it's alright to lean on others until then.

If there's anything I can do from this point forward, don't hesitate to message me. I can get around pretty quickly these days thanks to some of the HMs I've obtained.

[brokencode]

[Well, that was welcome jumping off point. Much as Angel wanted to believe Cissnei, it would take a bit longer for her words to sink in. In the meanwhile, going around in circles over the matter seemed like a waste of both of their time.

They'd spent long enough talking about the siren.]

You must have beaten a fair number of gyms to have achieved that honor. Which ones do you have?

[notmyrealname]

[Cissnei knows from experience how nice it is to have a chance to break away from particular conversations. She's more than happy to give that opening and she's glad that Angel is taking it.]

Fly, strength and rock smash thus far. I have a few more gyms to hit up before I have the full set from Kanto. Fly has been extremely handy especially. I've had to make several trips to Johto as of late.